Rotatable docking station with cable retractors

ABSTRACT

A rotatable docking station includes a swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronic device. The swivel mount assembly includes an insertable part to be inserted into an opening in a structure and a lip part. A securing body secures the assembly body to a surface of the structure. A rotatable body includes another insertable part to be inserted into an opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, a plate part, side walls with at least one side aperture, and a platform part. At least one first roller directs a cable extending through an opening in the another insertable part into a volume disposed between the plate part and the platform part. At least one second roller directs the further cable to pass through the at least one side aperture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/575,273, filed Jan. 13, 2022, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The present embodiments relate to devices for rotatably mountingelectronic devices atop a surface, such as a desk top or table top, andfor providing power and data connections to the rotatably mountedelectronic devices. The present embodiments also relate to devices forstoring, withdrawing, and retracting cables in conjunction with devicesfor rotatably mounting electronic devices.

Background Art

In many applications, it is desirable to provide electronic devices thatpermit the control of audio, video, conferencing, and other functions byplural people within a common area, such as in a conference room. Toenable each person to access the electronic device, the electronicdevice may be disposed atop a surface that is available to each of theseparticipants, such as atop a table top of desk top. To use theelectronic device, a person in the conference room or other common areapreferably faces, for example, a screen and/or keypad of the electronicdevice. When another person in the room desires access to the device,the prior user may need to switch seats or spots with the new user,which may be disruptive to the flow of a conference or meeting.Alternatively, the electronic device may be physically moved along thetable top from the location of one user to that of another user, whichis also disruptive and may inadvertently cause one or more of the cablesconnected to the electronic device to be disconnected.

It is therefore desirable to provide a docking station or mountingassembly that supports such electronic devices in a manner that permitsthe electronic device surface to be turned from one user to anotherwhile minimizing disruption and minimizing the risk of the disconnectionof cables.

In many such applications, it is further desirable for the dockingstation or mounting assembly to provide additional power and dataconnections to different electrical or electronic devices in theconference room or other common area using cables which may be dispensedwhen needed and then withdrawn out of sight when no longer needed.

It is therefore desirable to provide cable retractors that are suitablefor attachment to, and for use in conjunction with, such a mounting ordocking station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the general and detailed descriptionsthat follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with an aspect, a swivel mount assembly for rotationalmounting of an electronic device to a mounting structure, comprises: (a)an assembly body, comprising: (1) an insertable part configured to beinserted into an opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part having ashape that conforms to a shape of the opening, (2) a lip part attachedto an end of the insertable part and being wider than the opening in themounting structure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening; (b) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure; and(c) a rotatable body configured to be rotatable about an axis extendingthrough the opening in the mounting structure, the rotatable bodycomprising: (1) another insertable part configured to be inserted intoan opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, the anotherinsertable part of the rotatable body including an opening that extendsfrom the end of the another insertable part to an opposing end of theanother insertable part, (2) a plate part attached to an end of theanother insertable part such that the plate part is adjacent to the lippart of the assembly body upon the another insertable part beinginserted into the opening in the assembly body, the opening in theanother insertable part extending through the plate part, (3) aplurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part, atleast one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, (4) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each of theplurality of sidewalls and being configured to support the electronicdevice, the platform part having at least one aperture formed therein,the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at least oneaperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach, (5) at least one first roller disposed within the opening in theanother insertable part and configured to direct a further cableextending through the opening in the another insertable part into avolume disposed between the plate part and the platform part, and (6) atleast one second roller disposed adjacent to the at least one sideaperture in the at least one of the sidewalls and configured to directthe further cable to pass through the at least one side aperture of theat least one of the sidewalls.

According to another aspect, a swivel mount assembly for rotationalmounting of an electronic device to a mounting structure, comprises: (a)an assembly body, comprising: (1) an insertable part configured to beinserted into an opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part having ashape that conforms to a shape of the opening, (2) a lip part attachedto an end of the insertable part and being wider than the opening in themounting structure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening; (b) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure; and(c) a rotatable body configured to be rotatable about an axis extendingthrough the opening in the mounting structure, the rotatable bodycomprising: (1) another insertable part configured to be inserted intoan opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, the anotherinsertable part of the rotatable body including an opening that extendsfrom the end of the another insertable part to an opposing end of theanother insertable part, (2) a plate part attached to an end of theanother insertable part such that the plate part is adjacent to the lippart of the assembly body upon the another insertable part beinginserted into the opening in the assembly body, the opening in theanother insertable part extending through the plate part, (3) aplurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part, atleast one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, (4) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each of theplurality of sidewalls and being configured to support the electronicdevice, the platform part having at least one aperture formed therein,the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at least oneaperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach, (5) at least one first roller disposed within the opening in theanother insertable part and configured to direct a further cableextending through the opening in the another insertable part into avolume disposed between the plate part and the platform part, and (6) atleast one pair of second rollers disposed adjacent to the at least oneside aperture in the at least one of the sidewalls, wherein one of thepair of second rollers is located on one side of the further cable, andanother of the pair of second rollers is located on another side of thefurther cable, thereby directing the further cable to pass through theat least one side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls.

According to a further aspect, a rotatable docking station, comprises:(a) a swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronicdevice to a mounting structure, the swivel mount assembly comprising:(1) an assembly body, comprising: (A) an insertable part configured tobe inserted into a circular opening in the mounting structure, theopening extending from a first surface of the mounting structure to anopposing second surface of the mounting structure, the insertable partbeing a cylindrical tube, and an outer surface of the insertable part ofthe assembly body being threaded, (B) a lip part attached to an end ofthe insertable part and being wider than the opening in the mountingstructure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening, (2) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure, thesecuring body including a ring part that is threaded on its inside suchthat the ring part is rotatable along the threaded outer surface of theinsertable part of the assembly body until the ring part contacts thesecond surface of the mounting structure and secures the lip of theinsertable part of the assembly body against the first surface of themounting structure, (3) a rotatable body configured to be rotatableabout an axis extending through the opening in the mounting structure,the rotatable body comprising: (A) another insertable part configured tobe inserted into an opening in the insertable part of the assembly body,the another insertable part of the rotatable body being a furthercylindrical tube having an opening therein that extends from the end ofthe another insertable part to an opposing end of the another insertablepart, (B) a plate part attached to the end of the another insertablepart such that the plate part is adjacent to the lip part of theassembly body upon the another insertable part being inserted into theopening in the assembly body, the opening in the cylindrical tubefurther extending through a region of the plate part, the plate parthaving at least one aperture formed in another region of the plate part,(C) a plurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part,at least one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, and (D) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each ofthe plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach, (E) at least one first roller disposed within the opening in theanother insertable part and configured to direct a further cableextending through the opening in the another insertable part into avolume disposed between the plate part and the platform part, and (6) atleast one pair of second rollers disposed adjacent to the at least oneside aperture in the at least one of the sidewalls, wherein one of thepair of second rollers is located on one side of the further cable, andanother of the pair of second rollers is located on another side of thefurther cable, thereby directing the further cable to pass through theat least one side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls; and (b)at least one cable retractor coupled to another end of the anotherinsertable part of the rotatable body, and comprising: (1) a framehaving first and second frame ends, opposing first and second framewalls disposed between the first and second frame ends, and a trackextending along one of the first and second frame walls, (2) a slideableblock disposed in, and configured to slide along, the track, (3) a firstpulley coupled to the slideable block and rotatable about a first axisthat moves together with the slidable block, (4) at least one springspool mounted at the first frame end, (5) a spring having a coiled partwound around the at least one spring spool, and having a segment thatextends away from the coiled part and is coupled to the slideable block,and (6) a second pulley disposed at the second frame end and rotatableabout a fixed second axis, (c) wherein (1) an intermediate storagesection of the further cable is ordinarily disposed within the frame ofthe at least one retractor and wound around at least part of each of thefirst and second pulleys, (2) a first end of the intermediate storagesection extends through a first opening located in one of the first andsecond frame walls, and (3) a second end of the intermediate storagesection extends through a second opening located at the second frame endand through the further cylindrical tube of the another insertable part,the at least one first roller being configured to direct the second endof the intermediate storage section to further pass through the at leastone side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls, (4) in responseto the second end of the intermediate storage section of the cable beingpulled away from the at least one aperture in the at least one of thesidewalls of the rotatable body, the first pulley and the slideableblock are urged away from the first frame end toward the second frameend thereby permitting a portion of the intermediate storage section ofthe cable to be withdrawn from the rotatable docking station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures further illustrate the present embodiments.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing

FIGS. 1A and 1B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of arotatable docking station with three retractors attached in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and bottom perspective views, respectively, of arotatable docking station with a single retractor attached in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a close-up top and bottom perspective views,respectively, of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and2A-2B.

FIG. 4A is a close-up side elevation view of the swivel mount assemblyshown in FIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 4B is a close-up side elevation view of the swivel mount assemblyshown in FIG. 4A showing the rotatable body removed from the assemblybody in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a top plan view of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS.4A-4B.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS.4A-4B with the platform part removed.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the swivel mount assembly shown in FIGS.4A-4B.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of one of the retractors shown in FIGS.1A-1B and 2A-2B in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7B is a side perspective view of the retractor shown in FIG. 7Awith a side panel removed.

FIG. 7C is a side perspective view of the retractor shown in FIG. 7Awith a side panel removed and the cable fully withdrawn from theretractor.

FIGS. 8A-8E are top perspective views showing the mounting of therotatable docking station with retractors in an opening in a surface inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the mounted rotatable dockingstation with retractors shown in FIG. 8B taken along line A-A.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a swivel mount assembly in accordance withanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments provide a rotatable docking station forrotatably supporting electronic devices and providing rotatableelectrical and data connections to the electronic device while alsoproviding additional retractable electrical and data connections forother devices .

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to”.

List of Reference Numbers for the Major Elements in the Drawing

The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings innumerical order.

100 Rotatable Docking Station With Cable Retractors

110 Swivel Mount Assembly

150 Cable Retractor

302 Rotatable Body

308 Cylindrical Region of Rotatable Body

310 Insertable Part

311 Cylindrical Region of Insertable Part

312 Threads

314 Lip Part

316 Lip Part Gear Teeth

318 Circular Gear

320 Plate Part

322 Side Walls

324 Side Wall Apertures

326 Cables

328 Inner Roller

330 Platform Part

332 Platform Part Apertures

334 Extensions

336 Plate Part Aperture

338 Inner Roller

340 End Portion

700 Retractor Frame

702 First Frame End

704 Second Frame End

706 First Frame Wall

708 Second Frame Wall

710 Track

712 Slideable Block

720 Single First Pulley

722 First Axis

730 First Spring Spool

732 Second Spring Spool

734 Spring

740 Single Second Pulley

750 Staple Catch

752 Latch Part

760 First Opening

762 Second Opening

764 Clip/Clamp

780 Retractor Cable

782 Intermediate Storage Section of Cable

784 First End of Cable

786 Second End of Cable

790 Free Connectors

792 Hidden Connectors

800 Mounting Structure

802 Mounting Structure Opening

804 First Surface

806 Second Surface

810 Threaded Securing Body

820 Electronic Device

1000 Swivel Mount Assembly

1002 Exit roller

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiment described herein in the context of a rotatable dockingstation with cable retractors, but is not limited thereto, except as maybe set forth expressly in the appended claims.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a rotatable docking station 100 isshown in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates a topperspective view of the rotatable docking station 100 and FIG. 1B showsa bottom perspective view of the rotatable docking station 100.

The rotatable docking station 100 includes a swivel mount assembly 110,according to an embodiment. One or more cable retractors 150 are alsoincluded according to an embodiment. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, three suchcable retractors 150 are provided. Alternatively, only one or two cableretractors 150 may be provided. For example, FIGS. 2A and 2B show topand bottom perspective views, respectively, of the rotatable dockingstation 100 in which only one cable retractor 150 is provided.

FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B and 6 show in greater detail the swivel mountassembly 110 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B. FIG. 3A illustrates atop perspective view of the swivel mount assembly 110, and FIG. 3B showsa bottom perspective view of the swivel mount assembly 110. FIGs.4A-4Bshow side views of the swivel mount assembly 110. FIGS. 5A-5B show topplan views of the swivel mount assembly 110, and FIG. 6 shows a bottomplan view of the swivel mount assembly 110.

The swivel mount assembly 110 includes a rotatable body 302 and aninsertable part 310 shown assembled in, e.g., FIG. 4A, and showndisassembled in FIG. 4B. The insertable part 310 is configured to beinserted at one end into an opening in a surface of a table top, desktop, or other structure. Typically, the opening extends completelythrough the table top, desk top, or other structure, and the insertablepart 310 typically has a shape that corresponds to the shape of theopening to permit the insertable part 310 to fit into the opening.According to an embodiment, the insertable part 310 may becylindrical-shaped for insertion into a corresponding circular openingand includes a cylindrical portion 311. For example, FIG. 8A shows amounting structure 800, which may be a portion of the table top, desktop, or other structure, having a circular opening 802 into which thecylindrical portion 311 is inserted.

Referring back to FIGS. 4A-4B, a lip part 314 is located at one end ofthe end of the cylindrical portion 311 and may be integral with orcoupled to the cylindrical portion 311. The lip part 314 is typicallywider than the opening in the mounting structure so that the lip part304 rests on a surface of the mounting structure after the insertablepart is inserted into the opening. For example, the lip part 304 issuitable to rest on a first surface 804 of the mounting structure 800shown in FIG. 8A.

Referring again back to FIGS. 4A-4B, the outer surface of thecylindrical portion 311 typically includes threads 312 over which, forexample, a ring-shaped securing body that has compatible threads may beturned. For example, FIG. 8A shows a threaded securing body 810 that hasthreads compatible with the threads 312. After the insertable part 310is inserted into an opening and the lip part 304 rests upon a firstsurface 804 of the mounting structure 800, the threaded securing body810 may be turned along the threads 312 until it is secured against asecond surface 806 of the mounting structure 800 and secures the lippart 304 to the first surface of 804.

Returning again to FIGS. 4A-4B, the swivel mount assembly 110 alsoincludes a rotatable body 302 that is configured to be inserted into anopening in the cylindrical portion 311 of the insertable part 310. Therotatable body 302 includes a cylindrical portion 308 having an outersurface that is configured to be rotatable in the opening in thecylindrical portion 311.

The rotatable body 302 includes, at one end of the cylindrical portion308, a plate part 320 that is integral with, or coupled to, thecylindrical portion 308. At an opposing end of the cylindrical portion308, an end portion 340 is attached to which one, two or threeretractors may be coupled. A plurality of side walls 322 extend awayfrom, and may be integral with, the plate part 320. One or more sidewall apertures 324 are provided in at least one of the side walls andprovide openings through which a free end of a retractor cable passes.Each side wall aperture 324 is typically wider than the width of one ofthe retractor cables but is narrower than a connector disposed at thefree end of the cable to prevent the connector from being drawn into theswivel mount assembly 110 and the retractor 150 when the cable isretracted.

FIG. 5A shows a top view of the swivel mount assembly 110. A platformpart 330 is disposed at the ends of the sidewalls and covers the openingin the rotatable body 302. One or more platform part apertures 332 maybe formed in the platform part 330 to permit cable from the electronicdevice to pass through. Extensions 334 that extend from the platformpart 330 may also be provided to permit the electronic device to beattached to the platform part 330.

FIG. 5B shows a top view of the swivel mount assembly 110 with theplatform part 330 removed. A pair of inner rollers 328, 338 reduce thefriction on a cable 326 while the cable is being withdrawn from theretractor 150 and the swivel mount assembly 110 and while the cable 326is being retracted into the retractor 150. The cable 326 passes upwardfrom the retractor 150 and through the opening within the cylindricalregion 311 of the insertable part 310, and then passes over an innerroller 328 and under another inner roller 338 before exiting the swivelmount assembly 110 through the side wall aperture 324.

A plate part aperture 336 is disposed below the one or more platformpart apertures 332 formed in the platform part 330 and, together withthe one or more platform part apertures 332, permit cables from theelectronic device to pass through the swivel mount assembly 110 to theopening within the cylindrical region 311 of the insertable part 310.

FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the swivel mount assembly 110. A circulargear 318 is rotatably coupled to the plate part 320 and mates with gearteeth 316 formed in part of the outer circumference of the lip part 314.The gear teeth 316 and the circular gear 318 combine to act as a damperon the rotation of the swivel mount assembly 110. Further, the gearteeth 316 are present only on part of the outer circumference of the lippart 314 to restrict the range of rotation of the swivel mount assembly110.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrates a cable retractor 150 for facilitating thewithdrawal and retraction of a length of retractor cable 780 accordingto an embodiment. To permit the incorporation of two or three cableretractors 150 within the space provided beneath the swivel mountassembly 110 shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, the present embodimentsprovide cable retractors 150 that are thinner than cable retractorsknown in the art. For example, the cable retractors 150 are thinner thanthose described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,469,303, 8,469,304, and 8,469,305,each issued Jun. 25, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,224, issued Feb. 25,2014, U.S. Pat. No. 9,056,744, issued Jun. 16, 2015, and U.S. Pat. No.9,475,673, issued Oct. 25, 2016, each to Feldstein, et al., thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The cable retractor 150 provides a compartment to keep interface cablesat the ready to be withdrawn and plugged into computers, AV sources, anda host of other devices. The cable retractor 150 provides for extensiveconnectivity in an easy pull out cable storage mechanism to support awide range of applications and signal types. When the retractor cable780 is not in use, the retractor cable 780 stows neatly within the cableretractor 150. Additionally, while retractor cable 780 is in use, anyexcess of the retractor cable 780 simply remains out-of-sight in thecable retractor 150.

The cable retractor 150 is mounted to an end portion 340 disposed at theend of the rotatable body 302 of the swivel mount assembly 110. One endof the cable retractor 150 is connected to end portion 340 using, forexample, brackets, clips, screws, or like fasteners. In one embodiment,the cable retractor 150 is mounted vertically below the mountingstructure, such as below a conference room table or a desk.

FIG. 7A is a partially exploded perspective view of the cable retractor150. The cable retractor 150 includes a retractor frame 700. Theretractor frame 700 includes first and second frame ends 702, 704. Theretractor 150 stores, within the frame 700, an intermediate storagesection 782 of the retractor cable 780. The retractor cable 780 may be aUSB cable, Ethernet cable, 15-PIN VGA (plus audio combined) HDMI cable,DVI cable, CAT-5 cable, CAT-5E cable, CAT-6 cable, optical fiber, audiocable, display port or another type of cable.

The retractor frame 700 may be made of any material that can be molded,extruded or bent, for example, a metal such as aluminum or a polymer.Example of polymers include plastics such as thermoplastic, thermosetplastic, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene and engineeringplastic, for example, synthetic polymers including nylon.

The cable retractor 150 includes a single first pulley 720 and a singlesecond pulley 740. The first pulley 720 rotates independently along afirst axis 722. The second pulley 740 rotates independently along asecond axis 742. Only a single first pulley 720 and a single secondpulley 740 are provided, rather than the paired first pulleys and pairedsecond pulleys present in known cable retractors, to provide a thinnerprofile that allows space for two or three such cable retractors to becoupled to the swivel mount assembly 110. To make up for the loss incable length storage capacity resulting from the absence of pairedpulleys, the length of the retractor frame 700 is roughly double thelength of the frame of the known, paired-pulley cable retractors.

FIG. 7B illustrates the cable retractor 150 with a cover of theretractor frame 700 removed. The intermediate storage section 782 of theretractor cable 780 is at least partially wound over the first andsecond pulleys 720, 740. A first end 784 of the cable is disposedoutside of the retractor frame 700 and extends from a first opening 760in the retractor frame 700 to a connector 792 that is typically hiddenunder the mounting structure. The first end 784 is typically also beheld in place against the retractor frame 700 by a clip 764.

Within the retractor frame 700, a section of the intermediate storagesection 782 of the retractor cable 780 extends from the first opening760 to the first pulley 720 and over the first pulley 720. Anothersection of the intermediate storage section 782 of the retractor cable780 extends from the first pulley 720 to, and over, the second pulley740. A second (free) end 786 of the retractor cable 780 extends from thesecond pulley 740 through a second opening 762 in the retractor frame700 and outside the retractor frame 700.

The first and second pulleys 720, 740 are laterally spaced apart fromeach other with the first pulley 720 ordinarily being disposed at thefirst frame end 702 of the retractor frame 700, and the second pulley740 being disposed at the second frame end 704 of the retractor frame700. The first pulley 720 rotates on a first axis 722 and is rotatablymounted on a slideable block 712 that is disposed in the upper and lowerlaterally spaced tracks 710 for sliding motion between the first andsecond frame ends 702, 704. The second pulley 740 rotates along a secondaxis 722 which is located adjacent to the second frame end 704 of theretractor frame 700.

The retractor frame 700 includes peripheral first and second frame walls706, 708 that form the laterally spaced tracks 710. The tracks 710 eachhave an elongated guide recess (not shown) that receive the slideableblock 712. The slideable block 712 is slidably mounted in the tracks710. The tracks 710 may be made of, or coated with, a low frictionmaterial, such as Teflon or the like.

In addition to being connected to the first pulley 720, the slideableblock 712 is connected at one end to a spring 734 that is further woundaround at least one of the first and second spring spools 730, 732. Thespring 734 (in a normal or relaxed state) exerts a near continuousretraction force to urge the slideable block 712, along with the firstpulley 720, away from the second pulley 740. The retraction force urgesthe slideable block 712 away from the second pulley 740 to a storage orretracted position.

The cable retractor 700 may include a dampening system (not shown) forpreventing the retractor cable 780 from whipping during retraction.

When a user desires to draw out a length of the retractor cable 780, theuser typically pulls on the second (free) end 786 of the retractor cable780. By the user exerting a force greater than the retraction forceexerted by the spring 734, the pulling on the second (free) end 786 ofthe retractor cable 780 urges the first pulley 720, along with theslideable block 712, longitudinally along the tracks 710 toward thesecond pulley 740.

As the free end 786 of the retractor cable 780 is withdrawn, the firstpulley 720 together with the slideable block 712 moves from a positionshown in FIG. 7B toward a position shown in FIG. 7C. At the same time,the spring 734 is unwound from the first and second spring spools 730,732 and exerts a force counter to the force exerted by the user. Thatis, a user pulling on the free end 786 of the stored retractor cable 780exerts a force on the first pulley 720 and draws the slideable block 712and the first pulley 720 along the track 710 away from first and secondspring spools 730, 732 and toward the fixed second pulley 740. Thismotion of the slideable block 712 and longitudinally first pulley 720 isresisted by continued elongation of the spring 734 from the springspools 730, 732 during withdrawal of on the free end 786 of the storedretractor cable 780

Should the user then release the free end 786 of the cable, the spring734 ordinarily would draw the free end 786 of the retractor cable 780,together with any portion of the intermediate storage section 782 of theretractor cable 780 that was withdrawn from the retractor 150, backinside the retractor frame 700. Therefore, to prevent the withdrawncable from being pulled back in and allowing its use, a staple catch 750is provided on, for example, the slidable block 712, and a latch part752 is provided, for example, adjacent to the second pulley 740. Whenthe free end 786 of the retractor cable 780 is fully withdrawn from theretractor body 700, the latch part 752 mates with the staple catch 750and holds the slideable block 712 in the fully withdrawn position shownin FIG. 7C.

To release the staple catch 750 from the latch part 752, the user merelyfurther pulls on the free end 786 of the retractor cable 780. The latchpart 752 is configured to release the staple catch 750 upon such forcebeing exerted. The spring 734 then draws the sliding block 712, togetherwith the first pulley 720, back toward the first end of the retractorbody 700 to the position shown in FIG. 7B, and retracts the withdrawnpart of the retractor cable 780 back inside the retractor body 700.

FIG. 8A shows the rotatable docking station 100 in position to beinserted into an opening in a mounting structure 800. The mountingstructure 800 may be a portion of the table top, desk top, or otherstructure. The opening may be a circular opening 802 into which thecylindrical-shaped insertable part 310 of the swivel mount assembly 110may be inserted.

As described above, the rotatable docking station 100 includes theswivel mount assembly 110 and the retractors 150. Additionally,connectors 790 are provided at the respective free ends of the retractorcables 780, and extend outward from the side wall apertures of theswivel mount assembly 110. The connectors 790 are in positions where anyone of them may be pulled away from the swivel mount assembly 110, atthe same time withdrawing a portion of the attached retractor cable 780from the corresponding cable retractor 150.

FIG. 8B shows the rotatable docking station 100 after insertion into theopening 802. The cable retractors 150, as well as the assembly body ofthe swivel mount assembly 110, are hidden below the mounting structure800. Only the portion of the swivel mount assembly 110 that is from thelip part 304 to the platform part 330 remains above a first surface 804of the mounting structure 800, with the lip part resting directly on thefirst surface 804.

The insertable part 310 of the swivel mount assembly 110 is secured tothe mounting structure 800 using the threaded securing body 810, shownin FIG. 8A. Specifically, the securing body 810 is turned about thethreads 312 of the insertable part 310 until the securing body 810contacts the second surface 806 of the mounting body 800, causing thelip part 304 to press against the first surface 804 of the mountingstructure 800 and securing the insertable part 310 of the swivel mountassembly 110 and the cable retractor in place. The rotatable body 302 ofthe swivel mount assembly 110, however, remains free to be rotated atleast within the predetermined range of angles.

FIG. 8C shows the electronic device 820 that is to be supported by therotatable docking station 100. According to an embodiment, theelectronic device 820 is securable to the extensions 334 of the swivelmount assembly 110. Additionally, power and data cables (not shown)extending from the bottom of the electronic device 820 are fed throughthe platform part apertures 332 of the swivel mount assembly 110 to behidden from view.

FIGS. 8D and 8E show the electronic device 820 mounted to the swivelmount assembly 110 with the cables extending from the electronic device820 hidden from view.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the rotatable docking station 100taken along line A-A of FIG. 8D. The cable retractor 150 is shown withthe slideable block 712 and first pulley disposed at positions similarto that shown in FIG. 7B, except that the retractor frame 700 arrangedvertically in its mounted position. FIG. 9 also shows the routing of theretractor cable 782 through the cable retractor 150 and the swivel mountassembly 110. After exiting the cable retractor 150, the retractor cable782 passes over the inner roller 328 and under the inner roller 338,each located within the swivel mount assembly 110 as shown in FIG. 5B,before exiting through the sidewall aperture 324.

As the retractor cable 782 is drawn through the side wall aperture 324or the retractor cable 782 is retracted back through the side wallaperture 324, the retractor cable 782 may brush against the edges of theside wall aperture 324. As a result of such repeated brushing againstthese edges, the retractor cable 782 may begin to fray and possibly evenfail.

Therefore, FIG. 10 shows a top view of a swivel mount assembly 1000 inaccordance with another embodiment of the rotatable docking station 100.The swivel mount assembly 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is similar to the swivelmount assembly 110 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, 4A-4B, 5A-5B and 6 in that likereference numerals refer to like structures.

The swivel mount assembly 1000, however, further includes a pair of exitrollers 1002 for each retractor cable 326 of the swivel mount assembly1000. A respective pair of exit rollers 1002 are mounted in proximity toeach side wall aperture 324 with one of the pair being located on oneside of the cable 326 and another one of the pair being located onanother side of the cable 326.

The exit rollers 1002 guide the cable 326 as it is drawn through theside wall aperture 324 and prevent the cable from scraping against theedges of the side wall aperture 324. The exit rollers 1002 further guidethe cable 326 as it is retracted back through the side wall aperture 324and likewise prevent the cable from scraping against the edges of theside wall aperture 324. As a result, the cable is less likely to fraydespite being repeatedly withdrawn from and retracted into the rotatabledocking station 100.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

To solve the aforementioned problems, the present embodiments provide arotatable docking station that includes a swivel mount assembly and oneor more cable retractors.

Alternate Embodiments

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swivel mount assembly for rotational mountingof an electronic device to a mounting structure, the swivel mountassembly comprising: (a) an assembly body, comprising: (1) an insertablepart configured to be inserted into an opening in the mountingstructure, the opening extending from a first surface of the mountingstructure to an opposing second surface of the mounting structure, theinsertable part having a shape that conforms to a shape of the opening,(2) a lip part attached to an end of the insertable part and being widerthan the opening in the mounting structure such that the lip rests onthe first surface upon the insertable part being inserted into theopening; (b) a securing body configured to secure the assembly body tothe mounting structure; and (c) a rotatable body configured to berotatable about an axis extending through the opening in the mountingstructure, the rotatable body comprising: (1) another insertable partconfigured to be inserted into an opening in the insertable part of theassembly body, the another insertable part of the rotatable bodyincluding an opening that extends from the end of the another insertablepart to an opposing end of the another insertable part, (2) a plate partattached to an end of the another insertable part such that the platepart is adjacent to the lip part of the assembly body upon the anotherinsertable part being inserted into the opening in the assembly body,the opening in the another insertable part extending through the platepart, (3) a plurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the platepart, at least one of the sidewalls having at least one side apertureformed therein, (4) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of eachof the plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach, (5) at least one first roller disposed within the opening in theanother insertable part and configured to direct a further cableextending through the opening in the another insertable part into avolume disposed between the plate part and the platform part, and (6) atleast one second roller disposed adjacent to the at least one sideaperture in the at least one of the sidewalls and configured to directthe further cable to pass through the at least one side aperture of theat least one of the sidewalls.
 2. The swivel mount assembly of claim 1,wherein (a) the at least one second roller includes one second rollerlocated on one side of the further cable, and another second rollerlocated on another side of the further cable.
 3. The swivel mountassembly of claim 1, wherein (a) the mounting structure is at least oneof a table or desk, (b) the first surface includes at least one of atabletop or desktop, (c) the second surface includes an underside of theat least one of a table or desk, and (d) the securing body is configuredto secure the assembly body to at least one of the tabletop, thedesktop, the underside of the table, or the underside of the desk. 4.The swivel mount assembly of claim 1, wherein (a) the opening in themounting structure is a circular opening, and the insertable part of theassembly body is a cylindrical tube.
 5. The swivel mount assembly ofclaim 4, wherein (a) an outer surface of the insertable part of theassembly body is threaded, and (b) the securing body includes a ringpart that is threaded on its inside such that the ring part is rotatablealong the threaded outer surface of the insertable part of the assemblybody until the ring part contacts the second surface and secures the lipof the insertable part of the assembly body against the first surface.6. The swivel mount assembly of claim 4, wherein (a) the anotherinsertable part of the rotatable body is a further cylindrical tube. 7.A swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of an electronic deviceto a mounting structure, the swivel mount assembly comprising: (a) anassembly body, comprising: (1) an insertable part configured to beinserted into an opening in the mounting structure, the openingextending from a first surface of the mounting structure to an opposingsecond surface of the mounting structure, the insertable part having ashape that conforms to a shape of the opening, (2) a lip part attachedto an end of the insertable part and being wider than the opening in themounting structure such that the lip rests on the first surface upon theinsertable part being inserted into the opening; (b) a securing bodyconfigured to secure the assembly body to the mounting structure; and(c) a rotatable body configured to be rotatable about an axis extendingthrough the opening in the mounting structure, the rotatable bodycomprising: (1) another insertable part configured to be inserted intoan opening in the insertable part of the assembly body, the anotherinsertable part of the rotatable body including an opening that extendsfrom the end of the another insertable part to an opposing end of theanother insertable part, (2) a plate part attached to an end of theanother insertable part such that the plate part is adjacent to the lippart of the assembly body upon the another insertable part beinginserted into the opening in the assembly body, the opening in theanother insertable part extending through the plate part, (3) aplurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part, atleast one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, (4) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each of theplurality of sidewalls and being configured to support the electronicdevice, the platform part having at least one aperture formed therein,the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at least oneaperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach, (5) at least one first roller disposed within the opening in theanother insertable part and configured to direct a further cableextending through the opening in the another insertable part into avolume disposed between the plate part and the platform part, and (6) atleast one pair of second rollers disposed adjacent to the at least oneside aperture in the at least one of the sidewalls, wherein one of thepair of second rollers is located on one side of the further cable, andanother of the pair of second rollers is located on another side of thefurther cable, thereby directing the further cable to pass through theat least one side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls.
 8. Theswivel mount assembly of claim 7, wherein (a) the mounting structure isat least one of a table or desk, (b) the first surface includes at leastone of a tabletop or desktop, (c) the second surface includes anunderside of the at least one of a table or desk, and (d) the securingbody is configured to secure the assembly body to at least one of thetabletop, the desktop, the underside of the table, or the underside ofthe desk.
 9. The swivel mount assembly of claim 7, wherein (a) theopening in the mounting structure is a circular opening, and theinsertable part of the assembly body is a cylindrical tube.
 10. Theswivel mount assembly of claim 9, wherein (a) an outer surface of theinsertable part of the assembly body is threaded, and (b) the securingbody includes a ring part that is threaded on its inside such that thering part is rotatable along the threaded outer surface of theinsertable part of the assembly body until the ring part contacts thesecond surface and secures the lip of the insertable part of theassembly body against the first surface.
 11. The swivel mount assemblyof claim 9, wherein (a) the another insertable part of the rotatablebody is a further cylindrical tube.
 12. A rotatable docking station,comprising: (a) a swivel mount assembly for rotational mounting of anelectronic device to a mounting structure, the swivel mount assemblycomprising: (1) an assembly body, comprising: (A) an insertable partconfigured to be inserted into a circular opening in the mountingstructure, the opening extending from a first surface of the mountingstructure to an opposing second surface of the mounting structure, theinsertable part being a cylindrical tube, and an outer surface of theinsertable part of the assembly body being threaded, (B) a lip partattached to an end of the insertable part and being wider than theopening in the mounting structure such that the lip rests on the firstsurface upon the insertable part being inserted into the opening, (2) asecuring body configured to secure the assembly body to the mountingstructure, the securing body including a ring part that is threaded onits inside such that the ring part is rotatable along the threaded outersurface of the insertable part of the assembly body until the ring partcontacts the second surface of the mounting structure and secures thelip of the insertable part of the assembly body against the firstsurface of the mounting structure, (3) a rotatable body configured to berotatable about an axis extending through the opening in the mountingstructure, the rotatable body comprising: (A) another insertable partconfigured to be inserted into an opening in the insertable part of theassembly body, the another insertable part of the rotatable body being afurther cylindrical tube having an opening therein that extends from theend of the another insertable part to an opposing end of the anotherinsertable part, (B) a plate part attached to the end of the anotherinsertable part such that the plate part is adjacent to the lip part ofthe assembly body upon the another insertable part being inserted intothe opening in the assembly body, the opening in the cylindrical tubefurther extending through a region of the plate part, the plate parthaving at least one aperture formed in another region of the plate part,(C) a plurality of sidewalls each joined at one end to the plate part,at least one of the sidewalls having at least one side aperture formedtherein, and (D) a platform part disposed at an opposing end of each ofthe plurality of sidewalls and being configured to support theelectronic device, the platform part having at least one aperture formedtherein, the at least one aperture in the plate part and the at leastone aperture in the platform part being disposed at respective locationsthat permit a cable extending from the electronic device to pass througheach, (E) at least one first roller disposed within the opening in theanother insertable part and configured to direct a further cableextending through the opening in the another insertable part into avolume disposed between the plate part and the platform part, and (6) atleast one pair of second rollers disposed adjacent to the at least oneside aperture in the at least one of the sidewalls, wherein one of thepair of second rollers is located on one side of the further cable, andanother of the pair of second rollers is located on another side of thefurther cable, thereby directing the further cable to pass through theat least one side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls; and (b)at least one cable retractor coupled to another end of the anotherinsertable part of the rotatable body, and comprising: (1) a framehaving first and second frame ends, opposing first and second framewalls disposed between the first and second frame ends, and a trackextending along one of the first and second frame walls, (2) a slideableblock disposed in, and configured to slide along, the track, (3) a firstpulley coupled to the slideable block and rotatable about a first axisthat moves together with the slidable block, (4) at least one springspool mounted at the first frame end, (5) a spring having a coiled partwound around the at least one spring spool, and having a segment thatextends away from the coiled part and is coupled to the slideable block,and (6) a second pulley disposed at the second frame end and rotatableabout a fixed second axis, (c) wherein (1) an intermediate storagesection of the further cable is ordinarily disposed within the frame ofthe at least one retractor and wound around at least part of each of thefirst and second pulleys, (2) a first end of the intermediate storagesection extends through a first opening located in one of the first andsecond frame walls, and (3) a second end of the intermediate storagesection extends through a second opening located at the second frame endand through the further cylindrical tube of the another insertable part,the at least one first roller being configured to direct the second endof the intermediate storage section to further pass through the at leastone side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls, (4) in responseto the second end of the intermediate storage section of the cable beingpulled away from the at least one aperture in the at least one of thesidewalls of the rotatable body, the first pulley and the slideableblock are urged away from the first frame end toward the second frameend thereby permitting a portion of the intermediate storage section ofthe cable to be withdrawn from the rotatable docking station.
 13. Therotatable docking station of claim 12, wherein (a) the mountingstructure is at least one of a table or desk, (b) the first surfaceincludes at least one of a tabletop or desktop, (c) the second surfaceincludes an underside of the at least one of a table or desk, and (d)the securing body is configured to secure the assembly body to at leastone of the tabletop, the desktop, the underside of the table, or theunderside of the desk.
 14. The rotatable docking station of claim 12,wherein (a) at least one extension extends from the platform part of theswivel mount assembly and permits the electronic device to be securedthereto.
 15. The rotatable docking station of claim 12, wherein (a) theat least one side aperture of the at least one of the sidewalls is ofsufficient size to permit the further cable to pass through the aperturebut is smaller than a connector disposed outside the swivel mountassembly at an end of the further cable to prevent the connector frompassing through the aperture.